N.C. Fall 2016: Day 1: The Usual

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

I have been driving this route so often, especially since Mom died in June, that things are starting to get very familiar.  I went to N.C. in June, July and now September.

After doing some last minute things on the internet, watering inside plants (primarily because for the life of me I couldn't remember if I'd done it yesterday or not) and packing, I left.  As usual, some small roads out to Ill-120, to Woodstock, then Illinois-47 to Mahomet.

I stoped in Dwight to eat at Hardee's and Mahomet at the BP.  Then I-74 the Crawfordsville Pilot station for gas, then to Indy and through it on I-70.  Usual stop  in Ohio at welcome center for motel coupon magazines and Englewood for Skyline Chili fix.

Drove to Columbus to Zanesville and stopped for the night at the Super 8.

--RoadDog

N.C. Spring Trip 2016-- Part 2: A Scary Drive Down the Mountain But Soothed With the 'Cue

APRIL 30, SATURDAY

Listening to the CD by the Brothers Osborne called Pawn Shop, a country band with a rock sound.

Took I-70 from Springfield through Columbus to US-33 on the east side and then southeast to West Virginia. Made my usual stop for gas at Dogpatch Crossing.  Gas everywhere in Ohio was $2.30 to $2.35. gas at the Crossing was $2.35.  I stocked up on my Grippo's caramel corn.  I am told there are no places in the area that sell Grippo's products and that it is out of Cincinnati.

Then I-77 in W.Va. to the Virginia Welcome center for my Virginia peanut fix and gas at Wytheville, Virginia for $1.96.   Best price yet.  Had major fog and mighty scary coming down I-77 the last eight miles to N.C..

Stopped at Hursey's Barbecue in Graham, N.C. for some of their great 'cue.

Then US-421 to I-40 through the Raleigh-Durham terror, US-70 to Goldsboro.

--RoadDog

YOU'RE OLD IF YOU REMEMBER: When nearly everyone's mom was at home when the kids came back from school.

T-Giving 2015-- Day 2

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH.

Had a good breakfast at the Days Inn (hot oatmeal and cheese omelet) and hit the road.  Sadly, I should have bought gas last night when it was $1.66 on our side of I-70.  This morning the price was up to $1.90.  Thanksgiving driving, you know.

Easy ride through to Columbus, Ohio, and even got through the it with no problem, even though it was still rush hour.  Took US-33 through Athens, Ohio, home of Ohio University.  I was polite, even though they were the ones who beat us last night.  Had we won, we would have been in the MAC championship game in Detroit on December 4th aqgainst Bowling Green.

Then, I-77 through West Virginia where the traffic picked up quite a bit.  We had a huge backup at the first toll booths on the West Virginia Turnpike but after that that, the other two tolls weren't bad.  I got off at the Virginia welcome center and got my usual sample of Virginia peanuts.  These are the best peanuts in the world in my humble opinion.  This is always a necessary stop for me.

--RoadDog

T-Giving 2015-- Day 1: Travel

November 24, 2015, Tuesday.

Drove Il-47 south from Woodstock, Illinois, to Mahomet. I had a back up for road construction at south of Stark's Corner by Il-72 and US-20.   Glad to report that the road construction through Yorkville is finally finished after at least two years and a great, four lane stretch the whole way.  I got gas at the Pilot at Crawfordsville, Indiana, for $1.66 a gallon.  I sure love these gas prices these days.  I never saw gas over $2 today.

Took I-74 from Mahomet to Indy and through town on I-70 and then on to Huber Heights, Ohio, where I got a room at the Days Inn.  I was glad to find a Skyline Chili by the motel and took advantage, having a four-way.

Gas prices on our side of I-70 were $1.66 as well, but $1.90 on the other side.  I was thinking about filling up, but decided to wait until tomorrow to do so.  More on this decision on the next post.

Went to BW3 (Buffalo Wild Wings) and played NTN while watching NIU put forth a lame effort against Ohio University.  I left in disgust at half time.

--RoadDog

Spring Hasn't Sprung: NC Spring 2014-- Part 1

MARCH 23RD, SUNDAY: Extremely biting cold when leaving Illinois and stayed biting cold the whole way to Ohio. Enjoyed Rock and Roll Roots on WDRV and Breakfast With the Beatles on WXRT from 9 to 10 AM. Then, the Drive was doing Ten at Ten all weekend and got to hear 1972 until out of range. Took Il-120 to Il-47. south to I-74. Tried the new Burger King Big King (their answer to the Big Mac) at the Route 66 Burger King at the new Ambler-Becker gas station by I-55. It's as good as a Big Mac, but I wouldn't say any better. //// Took 47 to I-74 to Indianapolis. Gas at Crawfordsville, Ind. was $3.66 (Gas in Illinois $3.70- to $3.86). //// Picked up I-70 and east to Ohio where I had my Cincy Chili fix at Skyline Chili at Englewood. The other kind of gas was $3.40!!! Prooving that the farther you get from Chicago, the cheaper gas gets. //// The clerk at the Best Western was NICE enough to let me wait for two really, really long check-ins before informing me that there were no rooms available. Mighty nice of him!!! Continued on to Reynoldsburg, Ohio, outside of Columbus, before stopping for the night. //// Isn't It Supposed to get Warmer the Further South You Go? --RoadDogI-74

NC Bound Fall 2013: September 7th-- Part 2: Athens and the Deer

Drove I-70 to US-33 and took that to Athens, Ohio. It is four lane and limited access much of the way other than a short stretch through downtown Nelsonville. That too will soon be bypassed.

Took a ride through Athens, a very hilly town and home of MAC member Ohio University. There was going to be a football game later, but it being just 10:00, decided not to stick around.

Crossed over ointo West Virginia near Ripley and got on I-77 for the rest of today's driving. Paid my $6 (three $2 tolls) to drive the turnpike and was somewhat scared when the vehicle that had just passed me struck a deer. Stopped at Tamarack with all that neat stuff.

--RoadDog